Some facts about Direct Mail and the Environment

Last night’s Panorama programme about ‘Junk Mail’ and the environmental impact certainly caused some much media attention.

As with all such programmes, there has to be a ‘story to tell’ and, in truth, mail through the letterbox is still an emotive subject for many consumers here in the UK.

 

However, there was some misleading representation of the facts about mail and the effect it has on the environment.

Firstly, the programme chose to illustrate mail in an addressed and un- addressed format.

There are controls in place for addressed mail (via MPS), whereas door-to-door leaflets are harder to control as they are mass marketed

What is indefensible is the appalling use of ‘Scam Mail’, no one would support that, but it is difficult for Royal Mail to police such practice.

The environmental impact of direct mail isn’t as straightforward as you’d think.

For instance … Did You Know?

• Online billing creates a larger carbon footprint than mail-based bills using recycled paper
• Direct Mail isn’t a waste of trees. Paper is a farmed, sustainable crop – the pulp used in paper is made from what is left over when a tree is felled for commercial purposes, such as construction
• Direct Mail accounts for less than 1% of UK landfill whereas the newspaper industry generates almost 10 times as much at 9.1%

Equally true is that well targeted Direct Mail is welcomed by consumers, who like the non-intrusive mature of mail through the letterbox.